Turret cap apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets comprising an elevation turret cap with markings for windage and rate of travel aiming point correction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/881,411 filed 1 Aug. 2019 hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices,and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipmentused to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, mediumranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets comprising anelevation turret cap with markings for windage and rate of travel aimingpoint correction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All shooters, whether they are police officers, soldiers, Olympicshooters, sportswomen and sportsmen, hunters, plinkers or weekendenthusiasts have one common goal: hitting their target accurately andconsistently. Accuracy and consistency in shooting depend in part on theskill of the shooter and on the construction of the firearm andprojectile. At long ranges, the skill of the shooter and the consistencyof the ammunition are often not enough to insure that the shooter willhit the target. As range increases, other factors can affect the flightof the bullet and the point of impact down range.

One of these factors is “bullet drop.” “Bullet drop” is caused by theinfluence of gravity on the moving bullet, and is characterized by abullet path which curves toward earth over long ranges. Therefore to hita target at long range, it is necessary to elevate the barrel of theweapon, and the aiming point, to adjust for bullet drop. Other factors,such as wind, Magnus effect (i.e., a lateral thrust exerted by wind on arotating bullet whose axis is perpendicular to the wind direction),projectile design, projectile spin, Coriolis effect, and theidiosyncrasies of the weapon or projectile can change the projectile'spath over long range. Such effects are generally referred to as“windage” effects. Therefore, for example, to hit a target at longrange, it may be necessary to correct for windage by moving the barrelof the weapon to the left or the right to compensate for windageeffects. Thus, for example, in order to hit a target at long range, theshooter must see the target, accurately estimate the range to thetarget, estimate the effect of bullet drop and windage effects on theprojectile, and use this information to properly position the barrel ofthe firearm prior to squeezing the trigger.

Accordingly, the need exists for a target acquisition device having areticle and a turret cap which permits a skilled shooter to rapidly andaccurately identify the range to any target of known or estimable size,no matter how large or small, and to make fast and accurate adjustmentfor projectile drop and windage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices,and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipmentused to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, mediumranges and long ranges at stationary and moving targets. Certain furtherand illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Thepresent invention is not limited to these embodiments.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a target acquisitiondevice elevation turret cap, comprising a) elevation markings and b)windage markings wherein the elevation markings and the windage markingsalign to account for the greater effect of windage at greater elevation.In certain embodiments, the elevation markings are milliradian (Mil)elevation markings. In other embodiments, the windage markings aremilliradian (Mil) windage markings. In specific embodiments, elevationmarkings are minute of angle (MOA) elevation markings. In givenembodiments, the windage markings are minute of angle (MOA) windagemarkings. In some embodiments, the windage markings correspond to milesper hour (mph) windage markings. In further embodiments, the windagemarkings correspond to kilometers per hour (kph) windage markings. Ingiven embodiments, the elevation markings comprise units of any unit ofdistance, for example, inches, feet, yards, miles, centimeters, metersor kilometers. In certain embodiments, the windage markings compriseratios of any unit of distance, for example, inches, feet, yards, miles,centimeters, meters or kilometers, to any unit of time, for example,milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or years. Instill further embodiments, the target acquisition elevation turret capcomprises a) milliradian (Mil) elevation markings, b) milliradian (Mil)windage markings, c) minute of angle (MOA) elevation markings and d)minute of angle (MOA) windage markings. It should be understood that themarkings may provide any value that allows the user to assess windagecorrection. In some embodiments, the windage markings correspond to windspeed. In some embodiments, the windage markings correspond to range totarget. In some embodiments, the indicia utilize a linear scale. In someembodiments, the indicia utilize a non-linear scale. In particularembodiments, adjusting the elevation turret cap aligns the elevation ofthe target acquisition device on the firearm.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a target acquisitiondevice, comprising: a) a housing (that can be mounted, for example, in afixed predetermined position relative to a firearm); b) an objectivelens mounted in one end of the housing; c) an ocular lens mounted in theopposite end of the housing; d) an elevation turret cap, comprising 1)elevation markings, and 2) windage markings, wherein the elevationmarkings and the windage markings align to account for the greatereffect of windage at greater elevation, and e) a reticle, comprising: 1)a first horizontal cross-hair, 2) a first vertical cross-hair, 3) aplurality of elevation markings on the first vertical cross-hair belowthe first horizontal cross-hair, and 4) a plurality of second verticalcross-hairs intersecting, contacting or positioned in proximity to thefirst horizontal cross-hair. In certain embodiments, the reticlecomprises rangefinder markings. In other embodiments, the reticlefurther comprises unique markings for identification purposes on atleast one of the plurality of secondary vertical cross-hairs. In givenembodiments, the reticle is configured in a first focal plane within thehousing. In other embodiments, the reticle is configured in the secondfocal plane. In specific embodiments, the reticle is configured in acombination of the first focal plane and the second focal plane. Infurther embodiments, the reticle is configured in a fixed power targetacquisition device. In still further embodiments, the target acquisitiondevice is configured for shooting at a range of less than 500 yards. Inparticular embodiments, the target acquisition device is configured forshooting at a range of greater than 500 yards. In given embodiments, theturret cap is configured for shooting at a windspeed of zero to 100miles per hour (mph).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides method for aiming ata target, comprising a) adjusting the elevation turret cap of a targetacquisition device and a windage turret of the target acquisition deviceaffixed to a firearm such that a projectile strikes a zero point on areticle of the target acquisition device at a specified distance, b)measuring or obtaining the range to a target at a second distance, c)adjusting the elevation turret cap such that the elevation of aprojectile aimed at the zero point of the reticle is aligned with theelevation of the target at the second distance, d) measuring orobtaining the windspeed and/or rate of travel of the target, e)obtaining a value from markings on the elevation turret cap for thenumber of second vertical cross-hairs intersecting, contacting or inproximity to the first horizontal cross-hair, f) adjusting the windagehold of the firearm based on the value. In certain embodiments, thesecond vertical cross-hairs intersecting, contacting or positioned inproximity to the first horizontal cross-hair are evenly spaced at Milsor MOA unit divisions at, for example, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.5 Mils.

In some embodiments, the reticle further comprises one or more or eachof: two or more evenly spaced second vertical cross-hairs on the firsthorizontal cross-hair; two or more evenly spaced second horizontalcross-hairs on the first vertical cross-hair below the intersection ofthe first horizontal cross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair; twoor more lead markings to the user's left of the two or more the evenlyspaced second horizontal cross-hairs; and two or more lead markings tothe user's right and/or left of the two or more evenly spaced secondhorizontal cross-hairs.

In some embodiments, the two or more lead markings to the user's left ofthe two or more evenly spaced second horizontal cross-hairs, and the twoor more lead markings to the user's right of the two or more evenlyspaced second horizontal cross-hairs are evenly spaced. In otherembodiments, the distance between the two or more evenly spaced leadmarkings to the user's left of the two or more evenly spaced secondhorizontal cross-hairs, and the two or more evenly spaced lead markingsto the user's right of the two or more evenly spaced second horizontalcross-hairs increases with the distance of the evenly spaced secondhorizontal cross-hairs below the intersection of the first horizontalcross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair (e.g., evenly spaced leadmarking associated with second crosshair X are separated from each otherby a distance Y and evenly spaced lead marking associated with a secondcrosshair Z below the second crosshair X are separated from each otherby a distance greater than Y).

In some embodiments, a reticle comprises a gap at the intersection ofany two crosshairs (e.g., a gap at the intersection of the firsthorizontal cross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair). In someembodiments, the gap comprises a marking centered within the gap. Infurther embodiments, a reticle comprises at least two gaps and a markingcentered within at least one gap on the first vertical cross-hair abovethe intersection of the first horizontal cross-hair and the firstvertical cross-hair wherein the marking indicates a range of 100 yardsor 100 meters to a target.

In some embodiments, a reticle comprises two or more evenly spacedsecond vertical cross-hairs on the first horizontal cross-hair thatcontact the first horizontal cross-hair or intersect the firsthorizontal cross-hair at predetermined distances, for example, 0.1 Mil,0.2 Mil, 0.4 Mil, etc. In further embodiments, the two or more evenlyspaced second vertical cross-hairs on the first horizontal cross-hairalternate in length along the first horizontal cross-hair (e.g.,alternate between such that a every other second vertical cross-hair orevery other fifth vertical cross-hair is either long or short relativeto its immediate neighbor).

In some embodiments, the lengths of the two or more evenly spaced secondvertical cross-hairs on the first horizontal cross-hair, the distance ofthe evenly spaced second horizontal cross-hairs on the first verticalcross-hair below the intersection of the first horizontal cross-hair andthe first vertical cross-hair, and the distance of the two or moreunevenly spaced aiming points on the first vertical cross-hair below theintersection of the first horizontal cross-hair and the first verticalcross-hair are dimensioned in milliradians (Mils) or in minute of angle(MOA), although any desired unit of measure may be used. In particularembodiments, the lengths and the distances correspond to a predetermineddimension of a target at a predetermined range.

In some embodiments, at least one of the two or more second horizontalcross-hairs on said first vertical cross-hair above or below said firstvertical cross-hair is an uninterrupted straight line. In otherembodiments, at least one of the two or more second horizontalcross-hairs is an interrupted straight line (e.g., a line made ofdashes, dots, or other features separated by spaces). In otherembodiments, at least one interrupted second horizontal cross-haircomprises markings. In further embodiments, at least one interruptedsecond horizontal cross-hair comprises one or more lead markings. Instill further embodiments, at least one the second horizontal cross-haircomprises an interrupted line and an uninterrupted line.

In some embodiments, two or more lead markings are selected from a groupconsisting of a solid dot, a hollow dot, a cross, an x, a line, anumber, and a line comprising two or more numbers. In some embodiments,two or more lead markings are calibrated for the velocity of movement ofa target, properties of a projectile, properties of a firearm, and/orproperties of the environment. In certain embodiments, the properties ofthe environment comprise altitude, wind speed, wind direction, and windangle.

In some embodiments, the first horizontal cross-hair is a line. Incertain embodiments, the line is a straight line. In other embodiments,the straight line is an uninterrupted straight line. In particularembodiments, the first horizontal cross-hair has a predeterminedthickness. In further embodiments, the predetermined thickness is asingle thickness along the length of the first horizontal cross-hair.

In some embodiments, the first vertical cross-hair is a line. In certainembodiments, the line is a straight line. In other embodiments, thestraight line is an uninterrupted straight line. In further embodiments,the first vertical cross-hair has a predetermined thickness. In stillfurther embodiments, the predetermined thickness is a single thicknessalong the length of the first vertical cross-hair. In particularembodiments, the horizontal cross-hair and the first vertical cross-hairphysically cross at an intersection point.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the two or more secondhorizontal cross-hairs is a predetermined thickness. In certainembodiments, the predetermined thickness is a single thickness along thelength of the at least one of the two or more second horizontalcross-hairs.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a target acquisitiondevice (e.g., a riflescope), comprising a housing, an objective lensmounted in one end of the housing, an ocular lens mounted in theopposite end of the housing, and a reticle as described above or herein.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method forshooting a target comprising: aiming a target acquisition devicecomprising a reticle as described above or herein; and firing the targetacquisition device.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofmanufacturing a reticle as described above or herein comprising: placingmarkings on a disc or wafer. In some embodiments, the markings areplaced by etching, placements of wires, generation of illuminatedelements, or other suitable approaches. In some embodiments, theposition of the aiming point specific to a first projectile and theposition of the aiming point specific to a second projectile arepositioned on the reticle at distances above the first horizontalcross-hair selected such that at least one aiming point positioned onthe first vertical cross-hair below the first horizontal cross-hairaccurately direct the shooter to hit a target at a given distance (e.g.,400 yards) regardless of whether the aiming device is shot with thefirst or second projectiles. In some embodiments, two or more suchaiming points are positioned on the first vertical cross-hair below thefirst horizontal cross-hair that correspond to distances (e.g., 400yards, 500 yards, 600 yards, etc.) useful for either the first or secondprojectile. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a methodof manufacturing a turret cap comprising placing markings on said turretcap by engraving, etching, printing, illuminate elements or othersuitable approaches.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides ballistics software,calculators, or other computing devices comprising or utilizinginformation associated with a reticle or turret caps described above orherein. In some embodiments, the ballistics software, calculators, orother computing devices calculate an aiming solution for such reticle,display a reticle (e.g., an electronic display; in an eyepiece or othercomponent of a riflescope, etc.), and/or project an aiming point on areticle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention and its advantages will beapparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the elevation turret caps of the presentinvention in which elevation markings that indicate the elevationrequired to strike a target at a known distance in Mils or MOA arealigned with the number of second vertical cross-hairs that contact,intersect or are near the first horizontal cross-hair of a reticle to beused by a shooter to correct for the greater effect of the wind and/orspeed of travel of a target at a greater range. In the example shown,the wind speed and/or speed of target travel is provided in miles perhour (mph), and the second vertical cross hairs on the first horizontalcross-hair are spaced at 0.2 Mil. The upper Mil or lower MOA elevationvalues are aligned with the upper Mil and lower MOA windage values,respectively.

FIG. 2. shows an example of a reticle of the present inventioncomprising a first horizontal cross-hair (10), a first verticalcross-hair (20) that intersects the first horizontal cross-hair, secondvertical cross-hairs (30) that contact the first horizontal cross-hair,second horizontal cross-hairs (40) that intersect the first verticalcross-hair below the first horizontal cross-hair, elevation markings(50) on the first vertical cross-hair, and range finding markings (60).

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the elevation turret caps of the presentinvention in which elevation markings that indicate the elevationrequired to strike a target at a known distance in yard or meters arealigned with the number of second vertical cross-hairs that contact,intersect or are near the first horizontal cross-hair of a reticle to beused by a shooter to correct for the greater effect of the wind and/orspeed of travel of a target at a greater range. In the example shown,the wind speed and/or speed of target travel is provided in miles perhour (mph), and the range to target in yards or meters. The upper orlower yards or meter elevation values are aligned with the upper orlower mph windage values, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices,and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipmentused to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, mediumranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets comprising anelevation turret cap with markings for windage and rate of travel aimingpoint correction.

In some embodiments, the elevation turret cap of a target acquisitiondevice of the present invention performs two functions. In a firstfunction, an elevation turret cap of the present invention enables auser to “zero” a firearm by adjusting (for example, by “dialing”) theelevation turret cap such that a target acquisition device is alignedwith the ballistic pathway of a projectile from a firearm to strike atarget a predetermined location on the target using a predeterminedaiming point of a reticle at a predetermined distance between theshooter and the target i.e. the vertical “zero” aiming point of thereticle. After zeroing the target acquisition device and the firearm ata first known distance, the shooter determines a range to a secondtarget. The shooter then adjusts the turret cap in Mils or MOA up ordown in keeping with the distance to the second target. By adjusting theaiming point on a first vertical cross-hair up or down a specifieddistance in Mils or MOA depending on the relationship between the rangeto the second target and the range at which the target acquisitiondevice and the firearm were zeroed, the aiming point to strike thetarget at the second distance is the same aiming point used to zero thetarget acquisition device and firearm. Similarly, a windage turret of atarget acquisition device is adjusted so that a target acquisitiondevice and firearm are aligned with the ballistic pathway of aprojectile from a firearm to strike a target a predetermined location onthe target using a predetermined aiming point of a reticle at apredetermined distance between the shooter and the target i.e. thehorizontal “zero” aiming point of the reticle that accounts for thelateral effects of wind and target rate of travel on a projectile'sballistic pathway.

In a second function, an elevation turret cap of the present inventionprovides markings for the shooter's use in selecting a horizontal aimingpoint on a reticle that accounts for the greater effect of wind andtarget rate of travel the longer time the projectile must travel at adistance greater than the distance at which a target acquisition deviceand firearm were zeroed. The further away a target is from a shooter,the longer time a projectile must spend in travel, the greater will bethe effect of constant wind speed or target rate of travel speed on theaccuracy of the projectile. Accordingly, the marked turret caps of thepresent invention provide a shooter with the number of second verticalcross-hairs that are on, that contact or that intersect a firsthorizontal cross-hair that the shooter must hold the aiming pointlateral to the elevation-adjusted zero point at a second distance, toaccount for the combined effects of wind speed/and or target speed oftravel with the duration of projectile travel.

For example, using the elevation turret and turret cap of FIG. 1 andreticle of FIG. 2., and a windage turret of the present claims, ashooter zeroes a target acquisition device, firearm and projectile at100 yards. In the reticle of this example, the second verticalcross-hairs that contact the first horizontal cross-hair are evenlyspaced at 0.2 Mils.

A target at 300 yards requires 2 Mils of elevation.

2 Mils elevation aligns with 5 mph windage markings on the elevationturret cap. (See FIG. 1 first and third lines of numbers from the topline of numbers.) Each 0.2 Mil spaced second vertical cross-hair on afirst horizontal cross-hair corresponds to 5 mph windage. At 300 yardsand 10 mph wind, the shooter holds the aiming point 2 second verticalcross hairs off the zero aiming point of the intersection of the firstvertical cross-hair with the first horizontal cross-hair, i.e. 0.4 Mil.At 300 yards and 40 mph wind, the shooter holds the aiming point 8second vertical cross-hairs off the zero aiming point, i.e., 1.6 Mils.

A target at 600 yards requires 7 Mils of elevation.

7 Mils elevation aligns with 2.5 mph windage on the elevation turretcap. (See FIG. 1 first and third lines of numbers from the top line ofnumbers.) Each 0.2 Mil spaced second vertical cross-hair on a firsthorizontal cross-hair now corresponds to 2.5 mph windage. At 600 yardsand 10 mph wind, the shooter holds the aiming point 4 second verticalcross-hairs off the zero aiming point, i.e., 0.8 Mils. At 600 yards and15 mph wind, the shooter holds the aiming point 6 second verticalcross-hairs off the zero aiming point, i.e., 1.2 Mils. At 600 yards and40 mph wind, the shooter holds the aiming point 16 second verticalcross-hairs off the zero aiming point, i.e., 3.2 Mils.

A target at 383 yards requires 3 Mils of elevation.

3 Mils of elevation aligns with 4.5 mph windage on the elevation turretcap. (See FIG. 1 first and third lines of numbers from the top line ofnumbers.) Each 0.2 Mil spaced second vertical cross-hair on a firsthorizontal cross hair now corresponds to 4.5 mph windage. At 383 yardsand 17 mph wind, the shooter holds the aiming point 4 second verticalcross-hairs of the zero aiming point, i.e., 0.8 mils (rounding to thenearest tenth Mil).

For example, using the elevation turret and turret cap of FIG. 3 andreticle of FIG. 2., and a windage turret of the present claims, ashooter zeroes a target acquisition device, firearm and projectile at100 yards. For a ballistics solution at 600 yards, the horizontal markscorrespond to 3 mph wind hold increments.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides alternativecombinations of turret cap markings and reticles. For example, incertain embodiments, reticles may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5 or more secondvertical cross-hairs interposed between longer second verticalcross-hairs. In certain embodiments, the second vertical cross-hairs areevenly spaced. In particular embodiments, the second verticalcross-hairs are evenly spaced at 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 Mil or MOA or other evenspacing. In specific embodiments, the second vertical cross-hairs areunevenly spaced. In particular embodiments, the second verticalcross-hairs are spaced in a combination of even and uneven spacing.

In some embodiments, the elevation and windage markings and alignmentsof the present invention are provided in a shooter's line of sight on anelevation turret cap. In other embodiments the elevation and windagemarkings and alignments of the present invention are provided in adisplay, for example, a projected display, a heads-up display, a goggledisplay, a video display, or a display shared with one or more spottersor other shooters. In particular embodiments, the elevation and windagemarkings and alignments of the present invention are displayed on areticle, for example, a projected reticle in an analog or in a digitalformat.

In some embodiments, an elevation turret cap of the present invention isnot physically in contact with a mechanism that adjusts the elevation ofa target acquisition device. In certain embodiments, an elevation turretcap of the present invention comprising a) elevation markings and b)windage markings wherein the elevation markings and the windage markingsalign to account for the greater effect of windage at greater elevation,is secured on the elevation turret of a target acquisition device, butis not used to adjust elevation of the target acquisition device. Inparticular embodiments, the elevation turret cap is secured bytightening the elevation turret cap on screw threads of a turret.

In some embodiments, a range to a target is determined by directmeasurement, for example, using a laser, radar, or other electromagneticor photonic detection. In other embodiments, a range to a target isdetermined by range markings on a reticle or other optical device. Incertain embodiments, a range to a target is provided by a spotter or bya map, for example, a physical or digital map. In specific embodiments,a range to a target is determined by global position system (GPS) orother positioning system.

In some embodiments, wind speed is determined by a shooter using avane-based device. In other embodiments, wind speed is determined bysatellite or other meteorologic assessment. In particular embodiments,target speed of travel is determined by laser, by radar, or by otherelectromagnetic or photonic detection.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an elevation turretcap and a reticle for use in any target acquisition device, fixed powerscope or a variable power telescopic gunsight, image amplificationdevice, or other aiming device. In some embodiments, the reticlecomprises a substantially transparent disc, although the presentinvention is not limited to the use of disc shaped reticles, or tosubstantially transparent reticles, or to electronically generatedreticles. In some embodiments, the reticle has an optical center and anedge for mounting said reticle in a housing (e.g.,, between an objectivelens and the ocular lens of a scope), one or more aiming pointspositioned on said reticle, wherein the aiming points are formed, forexample, by a first vertical cross-hair intersecting a first horizontalcross-hair intersecting said first vertical cross-hair to form an upperright sector (e.g., quadrant), an upper left sector, a lower rightsector, and a lower left sector or by one or more second horizontalcross-hairs or other markings on or near the first vertical cross-hair.

The cross-hairs may be of any length, any width, and may comprisecontiguous lines or may have gaps (e.g., dashed or dotted lines). Insome embodiments, the second horizontal and vertical cross-hairscomprise intersecting continuous lines. In other embodiments, the secondhorizontal and vertical cross-hairs comprise intersecting discontinuouslines. In further embodiments, the cross-hairs comprise a pillarconnecting, for example, the cross-hair to the circumference of thereticle with a line of different thickness. In some embodiments, atleast one intersecting cross-hair crosses beyond at least one othercross-hair. In other embodiments, at least one intersecting cross-haircontacts but does not cross at least one other cross-hair. In furtherembodiments, first and second cross-hairs comprise triangles, circles,squares, straight lines, curved lines, arcs, solid dots, hollow dots,numbers, letters, crosses, stars, solid shapes, hollow shapes, or shapesin silhouette in a linear or curvilinear orientation to one another.

In one embodiment, unique markings (e.g., numbers) identify at leastsome of the second cross-hairs or other markings appearing on thereticle. In a further embodiment, the first horizontal cross-hairintersects that first vertical cross-hair at the optical center of thereticle. In another embodiment, the first horizontal cross-hairintersects that first vertical cross-hair below the optical center ofthe reticle. In a further embodiment, the first horizontal cross-hairintersects the first vertical cross-hair above the optical center of thereticle. In a yet further embodiment, a plurality of second horizontalcross-hairs are evenly spaced at predetermined distances along the firstvertical cross-hair. In another embodiment, at least some of the secondhorizontal cross-hairs are unevenly spaced at predetermined distancesalong the first vertical cross-hair. In a still further embodiment, twoor more second vertical cross-hairs are evenly spaced at predetermineddistances along at least some of the second horizontal cross-hairs. Inanother embodiment, at least some of the second vertical cross-hairs areunevenly spaced at predetermined distances along the first horizontalcross-hair. In yet another embodiment, the reticle additionally includesrange-finding markings on the reticle. The range finding markings may bein one of the sectors formed by the first vertical and horizontalcross-hairs, or may be on the first vertical or horizontal cross-hairs,or on the second vertical or horizontal cross-hairs. In someembodiments, the first or second cross-hairs themselves are used asrange-finder markings. Examples of crosshair styles and configurationsthat may be applied include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,869,530,9,612,086, 9,574,850, 9,500,444, 9,459,07, 9,335,123, 9,255,771,9,250,038, 9,068,794, 8,991,702, 8,966,806, 8,959,824, 8,905,307,8,893,971,8,707,608, 8,656,630, 8,353,454, 8,230,635, 8,109,029,7,946,048, 7,937,878, 7,856,750, 7,832,137, 7,712,225, 6,681,512,6,516,699, 6,453,595, 6,032,374, and 5,920,995, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In still further embodiments, the reticle is optionally illuminated forday use, for twilight use, for night use, for use in low or absentambient light, or for use with or without night vision. In yet a furtherembodiment, illuminated dots at, for example, even or odd Mil Radianspacing are separately illuminated in the shooter's field of vision.

In a further embodiment, reticles are constructed from an opticallytransparent wafer or electronically generated disc having an opticalcenter that coincides with a center of a field of vision when the waferis mounted in a scope. The reticles of the present invention may be madeof any suitable material. The reticles may have any suitable markingsthat permit use as described above and elsewhere herein. The markingsmay be generated by any means, including, but not limited to,engravings, etchings, projections, wires, digital or analog imaging,raised surfaces (e.g., made of any desired material), etc. The reticlesmay be used in any type of device where there is use for second ormultiple aiming points. The reticles may be used in conjunction with oneor more additional components that facilitate or expand use (e.g.,ballistic calculators, devices that measure exterior factors,meteorological instruments, azimuth indicators, compasses, chronographs,distance ranging devices, etc.).

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an improved targetacquisition device using the elevation turret caps and reticles of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, the target acquisition devicehas one or more of a housing, an objective lens mounted in one end ofthe housing, and an ocular lens mounted in the opposite end of thehousing. In some embodiments, the target acquisition device is a fixedpower telescopic gunsight, or a variable power telescopic gunsight. Whenoptics are mounted in the housing to permit the power to be varied alonga predetermined range, the reticle is most preferably mounted betweenthe objective lens and the variable power optics, although allconfigurations are contemplated by the present invention. The reticlemay be configured in a target acquisition device in any desired focalplane (e.g., first focal plane, second focal plane, or a combination ofboth), or incorporated into a fixed power telescopic gunsight. In afurther embodiment, the reticles of the present invention areincorporated for use in, for example, electronic target acquisition andaiming devices. In some embodiments, the target acquisition devicecomprises an elevation turret and a windage turret. In otherembodiments, the elevation turret and windage turret comprise turretcaps.

While the reticles of the present invention find use in long-rangetarget acquisition devices they can be used with equal effectiveness atclose and medium ranges. In one embodiment, the reticles of the presentinvention are adapted for use in a mid-range telescopic gunsight, orclose range telescopic gunsight, or other device.

In some embodiments, a ballistics calculator or ballistics software isused to assist a shooter in selecting an aiming point for firing aweapon. In some embodiments, the ballistics calculator is used toproject an aiming point on the reticle. In some embodiments, theballistics calculator is used to project, illuminate, or otherwisedisplay one or more markings (e.g., crosshairs, aiming points, etc.) ona reticle. In some embodiments, the ballistics calculator receives oremploys information regarding one or more of: external/environmentalfield conditions (e.g., date, time, temperature, relative humidity,target image resolution, barometric pressure, wind speed, winddirection, hemisphere, latitude, longitude, altitude), firearminformation (e.g., rate and direction of barrel twist, internal barreldiameter, internal barrel caliber, and barrel length), projectileinformation (e.g., projectile weight, projectile diameter, projectilecaliber, projectile cross-sectional density, one or more projectileballistic coefficients, projectile configuration, propellant type,propellant amount, propellant potential force, primer, and muzzlevelocity of the cartridge), target acquisition device and reticleinformation (e.g., type of reticle, power of magnification, first,second or fixed plane of function, distance between the targetacquisition device and the barrel, the positional relation between thetarget acquisition device and the barrel, the range at which thetelescopic gunsight was zeroed using a specific firearm and cartridge),information regarding the shooter (e.g., the shooter's visual acuity,visual idiosyncrasies, heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rate, bloodoxygen saturation, muscle activity, brain wave activity, and number andpositional coordinates of spotters assisting the shooter), and therelation between the shooter and target (e.g., the distance between theshooter and target, the speed and direction of movement of the targetrelative to the shooter, or shooter relative to the target (e.g., wherethe shooter is in a moving vehicle), and direction from true North), andthe angle of the rifle barrel with respect to a line drawnperpendicularly to the force of gravity.

In some embodiments, the output of a ballistics program is selected toproduce aiming point information for a specific target at a known range,or multiple targets at known or estimable ranges. In a furtherembodiment, the target acquisition device is a conventional telescopicgunsight comprising a reticle of the present invention in which thescope is adjusted to hit a target at range by rotating horizontal andvertical adjustment knobs a calculated number of “clicks.”

In some embodiments, the reticle is configured for use in day lightillumination. In some embodiments, the reticle is configured for use inlow light illumination.

In some embodiments, reticles of the present invention comprise a firsthorizontal cross-hair, a first vertical cross-hair that intersects saidfirst horizontal cross-hair, and one or more or each of: two or more millines of graduated length on said first horizontal cross-hair, two ormore mil lines of graduated length on said first vertical cross-hair,two or more offset mil lines subtending the gap between the third andthe fourth mil lines on the first horizontal cross-hair and the firstvertical cross-hair to the left, to the right, and above theintersection of the first horizontal cross-hair and the first verticalcross-hair, two or more range markings along the first verticalcross-hair below the intersection of the first horizontal cross-hair andthe first vertical cross-hair, two or more wind markings to the left andto the right of the first vertical cross-hair below the intersection ofthe first horizontal cross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair, twoor more simultaneously visible second horizontal cross-hairs atpredetermined distances on said first vertical cross-hair, and two ormore simultaneously visible second vertical cross-hairs at predetermineddistances on said simultaneously visible second horizontal cross-hairs,wherein an intersection of at least one of said two or moresimultaneously visible second vertical cross-hairs and at least one ofsaid two or more simultaneously visible second horizontal cross-hairsprovides an aiming point.

In some embodiments, the two or more mil lines of graduated length onthe first horizontal cross-hair and the two or more mil lines ofgraduated length on the first vertical cross-hair are graduated inlength in a replicated pattern. In further embodiments, the two or moremil lines of graduated length on the first horizontal cross-hair and thetwo or more mil lines of graduated length on the first verticalcross-hair are successively 0.5 mils, 0.6 mils, 0.7 mils, 0.8 mils and0.9 mils in length in a pattern that is replicated thereafter along thefirst horizontal cross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair.

In some embodiments, the two or more offset mil lines subtending the gapbetween the third and the fourth mil lines on the first horizontalcross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair to the left, to the rightand above the intersection of the first horizontal cross-hair and thefirst vertical cross-hair are offset in a V-shape. In other embodiments,the two or more offset mil lines subtending the gap between the thirdand the fourth mil lines on the first horizontal cross-hair and thefirst vertical cross-hair to the left, to the right and above theintersection of the first horizontal cross-hair and the first verticalcross-hair are successively spaced at 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 and 3.9 mils.

In some embodiments, the two or more range markings along the firstvertical cross-hair below the intersection of the first horizontalcross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair comprise a gap. In otherembodiments, the gap corresponds to a predetermined dimension of atarget at a predetermined range. In further embodiments, the two or morerange markings along the first vertical cross-hair below theintersection of the first horizontal cross-hair and the first verticalcross-hair comprise an oval. In still further embodiments, the longestdiameter of the oval corresponds to a predetermined dimension of atarget at a predetermined range.

In some embodiments, the two or more wind markings to the left and tothe right of the first vertical cross-hair below the intersection of thefirst horizontal cross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair areselected from a group consisting of a dot, a cross, an uninterruptedline, an interrupted line, a number and a line comprising two or morenumbers. In other embodiments, the two or more wind markings to the leftand to the right of the first vertical cross-hair below the intersectionof the first horizontal cross-hair and the first vertical cross-hair arecalibrated for the velocity of a target, properties of a projectile,properties of a firearm, or properties of the environment. In furtherembodiments, the properties of the environment comprise densityaltitude, wind speed, wind direction, and wind angle. Furtherembodiments comprise velocity-of-a-target-markings above or below thefirst horizontal cross-hair. In some embodiments, the wind markings tothe left and to the right of the first vertical cross-hair are arrangedin vertically curvilinear lines.

In some embodiments, at least one of the two or more second horizontalcross-hairs is shorter in length than the first horizontal cross-hair.In still other embodiments, at least one of two or more second verticalcross-hairs on at least one second horizontal cross-hair is anuninterrupted straight line. In some embodiments, at least one of thetwo or more second vertical cross-hairs is a predetermined thickness. Insome embodiments, the predetermined thickness is single thickness alongthe at least one of the two or more second vertical cross-hairs. Inother embodiments, at least one of the two or more second verticalcross-hairs is shorter in length than the first vertical cross-hair. Insome embodiments, a plurality of the two or more second verticalcross-hairs are evenly spaced. In certain embodiments, the two or morewind markings are evenly spaced on at least one of said two or moresimultaneously visible second horizontal cross-hairs. In otherembodiments, the two or more wind markings are evenly spaced atintervals that differ between at least two of said two or moresimultaneously visible second horizontal cross-hairs. In still furtherembodiments, rangefinder markings and the wind markings are identifiedby numbers. Some embodiments comprise a zero aiming point at theintersection of the first vertical cross-hair and the first horizontalcross-hair. Certain embodiments comprise a zero aiming point above theintersection of the first horizontal cross-hair and the first verticalcross-hair. Other embodiments comprise at least one simultaneouslyvisible straight line second horizontal cross-hair on the first verticalcross-hair above the first horizontal cross-hair.

As used herein, the term “firearm” refers to any device that propels anobject or projectile, for example, in a controllable flat fire, line ofsight, or line of departure, for example, handguns, pistols, rifles,shotgun slug guns, muzzleloader rifles, single shot rifles,semi-automatic rifles and fully automatic rifles of any caliberdirection through any media. As used herein, the term “firearm” alsorefers to a remote, servo-controlled firearm wherein the firearm hasauto-sensing of both position and directional barrel orientation. Theshooter is able to position the firearm in one location, and move to asecond location for target image acquisition and aiming. As used herein,the term “firearm” also refers to chain guns, belt-feed guns, machineguns, and Gatling guns. As used herein, the term firearm also refers tohigh elevation, and over-the-horizon, projectile propulsion devices, forexample, artillery, mortars, canons, tank canons or rail guns of anycaliber.

As used herein, the term “internal barrel caliber” refers to thediameter measured across the lands inside the bore, or the diameter ofthe projectile. As used herein, the term “internal barrel diameter”refers to a straight line passing through the center of a circle,sphere, etc. from one side to the other and the length of the line usedin ballistics to describe the bore of the barrel.

As used herein, the term “cartridge” refers, for example, to aprojectile comprising a primer, explosive propellant, a casing and abullet, or, for example, to a hybrid projectile lacking a casing, or,for example, to a muzzle-loaded projectile, compressed gas orair-powered projectile, or magnetic attraction or repulsion projectile,etc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the projectile travelsat subsonic speed. In a further embodiment of the present invention, theprojectile travels at supersonic speed. In a further embodiment of thepresent invention, the shooter is able to shift between subsonic andsupersonic projectiles without recalibration of the scope, withreference to range cards specific to the subsonic or supersonicprojectile.

As used herein, the term “target acquisition device” refers to anapparatus used by the shooter to select, identify or monitor a target.The target acquisition device may rely on visual observation of thetarget, or, for example, on infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radar,thermal, microwave, or magnetic imaging, radiation including X-ray,gamma ray, isotope and particle radiation, night vision, vibrationalreceptors including ultra-sound, sound pulse, sonar, seismic vibrations,magnetic resonance, gravitational receptors, broadcast frequenciesincluding radio wave, television and cellular receptors, or other imageof the target. The image of the target presented to the shooter by thetarget acquisition device may be unaltered, or it may be enhanced, forexample, by magnification, amplification, subtraction, superimposition,filtration, stabilization, template matching, or other means finding usein the present invention. In some embodiments, the target imagepresented to the shooter by the target acquisition device is compared toa database of images stored, for example, on a medium that is readableby the ballistics calculator system of the present invention. In thisfashion, the ballistics calculator system performs a match or no-matchanalysis of the target or targets. The target selected, identified ormonitored by the target acquisition device may be within the line ofsight of the shooter, or tangential to the sight of the shooter, or theshooter's line of sight may be obstructed while the target acquisitiondevice presents a focused image of the target to the shooter. The imageof the target acquired by the target acquisition device may be, forexample, analog or digital, and shared, stored, archived, or transmittedwithin a network of one or more shooters and spotters by, for example,video, physical cable or wire, IR, radio wave, cellular connections,laser pulse, optical, 802.11b or other wireless transmission using, forexample, protocols such as html, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., Bluetooth™,Serial, USB or other suitable image distribution method.

As used herein, the term “lens” refers to an object by means of whichlight rays, thermal, sonar, infrared, ultraviolet, microwave orradiation of other wavelength is focused or otherwise projected to forman image. It is well known in the art to make lenses from either asingle piece of glass or other optical material (such as transparentplastic) which has been conventionally ground and polished to focuslight, or from two or more pieces of such material mounted together, forexample, with optically transparent adhesive and the like to focuslight. Accordingly, the term “lens” as used herein is intended to covera lens constructed from a single piece of optical glass or othermaterial, or multiple pieces of optical glass or other material (forexample, an achromatic lens), or from more than one piece mountedtogether to focus light, or from other material capable of focusinglight. Any lens technology now known or later developed finds use withthe present invention. For example, any lens based on digital,hydrostatic, ionic, electronic, magnetic energy fields, component,composite, plasma, adoptive lens, or other related technologies may beused. Additionally, moveable or adjustable lenses may be used.

Reticles of the present invention are typically (but not necessarily)constructed using optical material, such as optical glass or plastic, orsimilar transparent material, and takes the form of a disc or wafer withsubstantially parallel sides. The reticle may, for example, beconstructed from wire, spider web, nano-wires, an etching, or may beanalog or digitally printed, or may be projected (for example, on asurface) by, for example, a mirror, video, holographic projection, orother suitable means on one or more wafers of material. In oneembodiment, illuminated reticles are etched, with the etching filled inwith a reflective material, for example, titanium oxide, thatilluminates when a light or diode powered by, for example, a battery,chemical or photovoltaic source, is rheostatically switched oncompensating for increasing (+) or decreasing (−) light intensity. In afurther embodiment, the illuminated reticle is composed of two or morewafers, each with a different image, for example, one image for daylightviewing (that is, a first reticle), and one image for night viewing(that is, a second reticle). In a still further embodiment, if theshooter finds it undesirable to illuminate an entire reticle, since itmight compromise optical night vision, the second reticle illuminates areduced number of dots or lines. In yet another embodiment, theilluminated first and second reticles are provided in any color. In afurther embodiment, the illuminated reticle of the shooter's aimingdevice is identical to one or more spotter target acquisition devicessuch that the spotting device independently illuminates one or both ofthe reticles.

In a further embodiment, the illuminated reticles of the presentinvention are used in, for example, low light or no light environmentsusing rheostat-equipped, stereoscopic adaptive binoculars. With one eye,the shooter looks through a target acquisition device equipped with anaiming reticle of the present invention. With the opposite eye, theshooter observes the target using a night vision device, for example,the PVS 14 device. When the reticle and night vision device of thebinocular are rheostatically illuminated, and the binocular images areproperly aligned, the reticle of the target acquisition device issuperimposed within the shooter's field of vision upon the shooter'simage of the target, such that accurate shot placement can be made atany range in low light or no light surroundings.

In one embodiment, the reticle of the present invention iselectronically projected on a viewing screen comprising the shooter'simage of the target. As used herein, the term “image” refers to datarepresentation of a physical object or space. In another embodiment, anelectronic image receptor receives an image from lenses made of, forexample, plastic, glass or other clear material. In a furtherembodiment, the electronic image receptor is permanently affixed to thetarget acquisition device. In a further embodiment, two or moreelectronic image receptors are simultaneously or sequentially availableto the shooter for acquisition of different spectral images including,for example, IR, thermal, visible light, ultra-violet light (UV),radiation including X-ray, gamma ray, isotope and particle radiation,microwave, night vision, radar, vibrational receptors includingultra-sound, sound pulse, sonar, seismic vibrations, magnetic resonance,gravitational receptors, broadcast frequencies including radio wave,television and cellular receptors, etc. In an additional embodiment, theelectronic image receptor is a replaceable component of the targetacquisition device. In some embodiments, the reticle of the presentinvention is a thick or thin line-weight reticle.

In one embodiment, the electronic image is projected from the shooter'starget image acquisition device to a ballistics calculator processingunit by, for example, physical cable, IR, Bluetooth™, radio wave,cellular connections, laser pulse, optical, 802.11b or other wirelesstransmission using, for example, protocols such as html, SML, SOAP,X.25, SNA, etc., and may be encrypted for security. The processing unitmay be any sort of computer, for example, ready-built or custom-built,running an operating system. In further embodiments, manual data isinput to the processing unit through voice recognition, touch screen,keyboard, buttons, knobs, mouse, pointer, joystick, or analog or digitaldevices. In a further embodiment, the reticle of the present inventionis electronically projected on a viewing screen comprising one or morespotter's image of the target. In a still further embodiment, theelectronic image of the spotter's target image acquisition device isprojected to the ballistics calculator by, for example, cable, IR,Bluetooth™ or other wireless transmission. In a further embodiment,viewing screens of the ballistics calculator system comprising, forexample, aiming points, ghost rings and targeting data are projected onone or more shooter's and one or more spotter's viewing screens. In someembodiments the visual display includes LCD, CRT, holographic images,direct corneal projection, large screen monitors, heads up display, andocular brain stimulus. In other embodiments, the display is mounted, forexample, on the scope, in portable head gear, on glasses, goggles, eyewear, mounted on the firearm, or in a portable display standing apartfrom the firearm.

In some embodiments, the shooter is able to use the processing unit ofthe ballistics calculator system to electronically select the color ofthe reticle or image, and, through electronic enhancement of the targetimage, for example, to defeat mirage, to increase or decrease thebrightness and contrast of the reticle, to increase or decrease thebrightness and contrast resolution of the target image, to stabilize theimage, to match the image with an electronic library of stored images,to electronically amplify the target image through pixel replication orany other form of interpolation, to sharpen edge detection of the image,and to filter specific spectral elements of the image. In otherembodiments, image types can be combined by the processing unit of aballistic calculating system to assist in resolving images, for example,performing digital combinations of visible spectrum with thermalimaging, overlapping ultraviolet images with X-ray images, or combiningimages from an IR scope with night optics. The processing unit gathersall data on, for example, target size, angles and locations of spottersand shooters, and constructs an accurate position of the target inrelation to the shooter. In a further embodiment, the ballisticscalculator displays the electronic image observed by the shooter's orspotter's target image acquisition devices. In a further embodiment,after the firearm is discharged the targeting grid of the electronictarget image acquisition device and ballistics calculator system isadjusted so that the point of impact is matched to the targeting grid,thereby establishing a rapid zero aiming point. In yet anotherembodiment, firearm and telescopic aiming device are zeroedelectronically.

In one embodiment, the target acquisition device is not mounted on afirearm. An advantage of not having the target acquisition device imagereceptor be mounted on the scope or firearm is that much larger, morepowerful and more sensitive imaging components can be deployed, makingit easier to acquire better images without burdening the shooter withadditional bulk and weight. In addition, a stand-apart image receptor isnot exposed to recoil from the firearm. In the stand-apart ballisticscalculating system shooters, spotters and other interested parties viewthe target via a target image acquisition device, for example, a thermalimaging device, that projects an image on a video monitor or glasses,goggles, an eye-piece, a contact lens, a headset, or on the retina ofthe viewer. In some embodiments, the image receptor is in a spottingscope beside the firearm. In another embodiment, the image receptor ismounted on a nearby firearm. In a further embodiment, the image receptoris at a separate location, or remote site. In a further embodiment, theimage receptor is in an airborne vehicle, drone, or satellite. In afurther embodiment, the image is available as previously storedinformation. In another embodiment, the one or more shooters usemultiple or composite image receptors.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the reticle is projected onglasses, goggles, an eye-piece, a contact lens, a headset, or on theretina of the shooter. In another embodiment, the reticle issuperimposed on any suitable image of the target, for example an opticalimage, a thermal image, an ultrasonic image, a sonar image, a radarimage, a night vision image, a magnetic image, an infrared image, anenhanced image of any kind, or a holographic projected electronic image.In still further embodiment, the reticle is superimposed on the intendedtarget and the aiming point is illuminated by a laser. Where themarkings on a reticle are generated or moveable, in some embodiments,the markings may be modified to account for changes in the environmentand/or desired function. For example, the position, size, spacing ofcross-hairs, etc. may be automatically or manually adjusted to improvefunction.

In an additional embodiment, the reticle is provided with acircumscribing ring visible through the target acquisition device, toaid in centering the eye relative to the target acquisition device. Thisring helps reduce shooting inaccuracy caused by the misalignment of theshooter's line of sight through the target acquisition device. The ringassures a repeatable check weld to the firearm that is beneficial torepeatable shooting. By providing a visual component to align thereticle within the target acquisition device, the shooter is able toproduce more accurate and more repeatable results. In one embodiment,the reticle of the present invention further comprises a substantiallytransparent disc having an optical center and an edge for mounting saiddisc, and a ring positioned optically between said optical center andsaid edge, said ring spaced from said edge and circumscribing saidoptical center and one or more aiming points, whereby said ring can bevisually centered in a field of view for aligning a line of sightthrough the target acquisition device. In some embodiments, thering-equipped reticle allows the shooter to rapidly discriminate thering in the target acquisition device's field of view. The shooterthereby naturally and subconsciously focuses on the center of the ring.In further embodiments, a central dot is used for finer or more precisetargeting as time allows. As used herein, a “central dot” refers to anygeometric shape, for example, a circle, a square, a cross, or a diamond.In some embodiments, the central dot is solid. In other embodiments, thecentral dot is hollow. In further embodiments, the central dot isindicated by interrupted lines.

In some embodiments, the reticles of the present invention comprise twoor more rings. In further embodiments, at least one ring is withinanother ring. In still further embodiments, a circumscribing ring isdifferentially illuminated from at least one component of the reticle.In some embodiments, the ring diameter is suitable for use at a near, anintermediate or a distant target. More accurate results can be achievedif a shooter centers the reticle while looking through the targetacquisition device. However, aligning the user's eye with the opticalcenter of the target acquisition device is not always easy. The presentinvention can also be provided with a “ghost ring.” The ghost ring is avisible ring which has as its center the optical center of the scope,and which circumscribes the markings on the reticle. The ghost ring aidsshooters by helping them align their sight with respect to the targetacquisition device and reticle. By insuring that the ghost ring iscentered within the field of view of the target acquisition device, thereticle will likewise be centered. In additional embodiments, thering-equipped reticle gives the shooter the ability to rapidly acquireand engage targets at very close distances to plus or minus 300 yards.When a target is spotted, and time is of the essence, the central ringthat encases all or part of the reticle gives the shooter the ability toquickly discriminate the object to be targeted. In some embodiments thering is designed with a thick line, for example a line that subtends, orcovers, 5 MOA at 100 yards. In other embodiments, a thinner line isemployed compatible with, for example, specific target acquisitiondevices, further magnification powers, weapons of choice, or assignedmissions. In some embodiments, the area subtended by the ring isselected depending on targeting and weapon requirements. In furtherembodiments, the area of the ring on an electronic reticle is selectedby programming the ballistics calculator system.

In some embodiments, the ring is partitioned into 4 equal quadrants byhorizontal and vertical cross-hairs. In other embodiments, the quadrantsbounded by horizontal and vertical cross-hairs are unequal in area. Inanother embodiment, the ring is a geometric shape, for example an ovalor diamond, positioned at the center of the optical field of view. Inother embodiments, the ring is a geometric shape, for example an oval ora diamond, located at the point that the horizontal and verticalcross-hairs physically intersect. In specific embodiments, the ring maytake any geometric shape for example, a circle, a rhombus, a diamond, atriangle, and the like. In still other embodiments, the ring is ageometric shape, for example an oval or a diamond, located at the pointthat interrupted horizontal and vertical cross-hairs intersect iflinearly projected. In some embodiments, the geometric shape of the ringsubtends 5 MOA at exactly 100 yards. In one embodiment, the geometricshape of the ring is continuous. In another embodiment, the geometricshape of the ring is interrupted (e.g., composed of dashed or dottedlines). In yet further embodiments, the size and shape of the ring isselected depending on the mission, weapon and type of ammunition.

To use a target acquisition device and reticle of the present invention,it is suggested that the shooter becomes familiar with thecharacteristics of the firearm, projectile and ammunition to be used.The target acquisition device and reticle can be calibrated to work withalmost any type of firearm, for example, handguns, pistols, rifles,shotgun slug guns, muzzleloader rifles, single shot rifles,semi-automatic rifles and fully automatic rifles of any caliber, airrifles, air pistols, chain guns, belt-feed guns, machine guns, andGatling guns, to high elevation or over the horizon projectile devices,artillery, mortars, or canons or rail guns of any caliber. The targetacquisition device and reticle can be calibrated to work with any typeof ammunition, for example, a projectile comprising a primer, powder, acasing and a bullet, a hybrid projectile lacking a casing, amuzzle-loaded projectile, gas or air-powered projectile, or magneticprojectile.

In some embodiments, reticles of the present invention comprise leadmarkings. In some embodiments, lead markings on the reticle are used toaid the shooter in determining the direction and rate of movement of thetarget in relation to the shooter in order to target a moving object. Asused herein, “rate of movement” refer to a unit of distance traveled perunit time. Any unit of distance and any unit of time are suitable forindicating rate of movement. In some embodiments, units of distanceinclude, for example, inches, feet, yards, miles, centimeters, meters,or kilometers. In some embodiments, units of time include, for example,milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or years.Lead markings may occupy any position in relation to first and secondvertical or horizontal cross-hairs. In some embodiments, lead markingsoccupy positions, for example, above a cross-hair, below a cross-hair,upon a cross-hair, between cross-hairs, or at the end of a cross-hair.

In one embodiment, “lead markings” or “wind markings” are evenly spaced.In other embodiments, lead markings are unevenly spaced. In furtherembodiments, lead markings are spaced according to average rates ofmovement. In some embodiments, lead markings are projected on thereticle by a ballistics calculator system. In other embodiments,projected lead markings are spaced on the reticle by a ballisticscalculator system to account, for example, for the target's distancefrom the shooter, the target's direction of movement, the target'svelocity of movement, the target's rate of acceleration, the reactiontime of the shooter, or the lock time of the firearm.

As used herein, “lead markings” may take any shape or configuration. Insome embodiments, lead markings may be, for example, triangles, circles,squares, straight lines, curved lines, arcs, dots, numbers, letters,crosses, stars, solid shapes, or shapes in silhouette. Lead markings maybe any color, in some embodiments, for example, black, white, red orblue in color. In other embodiments lead markings serve more than onepurpose serving, for example, as identification markings orrange-finding markings as well as lead markings. In one embodiment, thelead markings are along at least one of the first cross-hairs. Inanother embodiment, the lead markings are along at least one of thesecond cross-hairs. In yet another embodiment, the lead markings arealong at least one first cross-hair, and at least one second cross-hair.In a further embodiment, the plurality of lead markings comprises atleast three lead markings. In further embodiments, the lead markings aresecond vertical cross-hairs on a first and/or second horizontalcross-hair. In one embodiment, lead markings are arcs along a firstand/or second horizontal cross-hair. In another embodiment, leadmarkings are solid circles along a first and/or second horizontalcross-hair. In still another embodiment, lead markings are solidtriangles along a first and/or second horizontal cross-hair.

In some embodiments, reticles of the present invention comprise refinedmil markers, speed-shooting features, moving target holds,speed-shooting wind markings and holdover crosses. In some embodiments,reticles of the present invention provide refined mil markings at one ormore locations on the reticle for measuring targets and millingdistances. In further embodiments, these mil markers are arranged inclusters throughout the reticle, thereby providing fast intuitivemeasuring guides in 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mil increments. For example,in some embodiments, the reticles of the present invention provideclusters of refined mil-markers arranged in bird-flock shaped chevronpatterns. These bird-flock chevrons allow refined milling of targets at0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mils. In still further embodiments, suchclusters are embedded within the reticle's first horizontal and firstvertical cross-hair. In certain embodiments, three bird-flock clustersof refined mil markers are embedded into first horizontal and verticalcross-hairs of the present invention. Each cluster may be comprised offive 0.1 mil increments, enabling rapid measuring from 0.1 to 0.5 mils.However, the locations of the markings an appear on any desired locationon the reticles, including above or below the first horizontalcross-hair and to the left and/or right of the first verticalcross-hair.

In some embodiments, the reticle's first horizontal and verticalcross-hairs are intersected by hash marks (i.e., hack marks or secondvertical cross-hairs) at 1-mil increments. In further embodiments, thelengths of the hash marks lengthens from 0.5 mils, to 0.6, to 0.7, 0.8,and 0.9 mils in order. This pattern then repeats itself. In furtherembodiments, the repeating pattern of expanding lengths provides amechanism for precisely measuring targets along the reticle's two firstcross-hairs, but does not appear along the portion of the reticle'sfirst vertical cross-hair contained within the aiming grid. In someembodiments, reticles of the present invention comprise first horizontaland vertical cross-hairs that are incremented with repeating patterns ofhash marks. In further embodiments, the larger of the hash marks arespaced at 1.0 mil increments. In certain embodiments, the 1.0 milincrements are subdivided by a repeating pattern of smaller hash marks.The smaller repeating pattern provides fast milling at 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and1.0 mil increments in a pattern that repeats throughout the reticle'sfirst horizontal and vertical cross-hairs above the 10.0 mil drop line.In some embodiments, the pattern does not occur within the aiming grid.

All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification areherein incorporated by reference. Various modifications and variationsof the described compositions and methods of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of the invention. One skilled in the art will recognize atonce that it would be possible to construct the present invention from avariety of materials and in a variety of different ways. Although theinvention has been described in connection with specific furtherembodiments, it should be understood that the invention should not beunduly limited to such specific embodiments. While the furtherembodiments have been described in detail, and shown in the accompanyingdrawings, it will be evident that various further modification arepossible without departing from the scope of the invention as set forthin the appended claims. Indeed, various modifications of the describedmodes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilledin marksmanship, computers or related fields are intended to be withinthe scope of the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A target acquisition device elevation turret cap,comprising: a) elevation markings; and b) windage markings; wherein saidelevation markings and said windage markings align to account for thegreater effect of windage at greater elevation.
 2. The targetacquisition device elevation turret cap of claim 1, wherein saidelevation markings are milliradian (Mil) elevation markings.
 3. Thetarget acquisition device elevation turret cap of claim 1, wherein saidwindage markings are milliradian (Mil) windage markings.
 4. The targetacquisition device elevation turret cap of claim 1, wherein saidelevation markings are minute of angle (MOA) elevation markings.
 5. Thetarget acquisition device elevation turret cap of claim 1, wherein saidwindage markings are minute of angle (MOA) windage markings.
 6. Thetarget acquisition device elevation turret cap of claim 1, wherein saidwindage markings correspond to miles per hour (mph) windage markings. 7.The target acquisition device elevation turret cap of claim 1, whereinsaid windage markings correspond to kilometers per hour (kph) windagemarkings.
 8. The target acquisition device elevation turret cap of claim1, comprising: a) milliradian (Mil) elevation markings; b) milliradian(Mil) windage markings; c) minute of angle (MOA) elevation markings; andd) minute of angle (MOA) windage markings.
 9. The target acquisitiondevice elevation turret cap of claim 1, wherein said elevation turretcap aligns the elevation of said target acquisition device.
 10. A targetacquisition device, comprising: a) a housing; b) an objective lensmounted in one end of said housing; c) an ocular lens mounted in theopposite end of said housing; d) and elevation turret; e) an elevationturret cap, comprising: 1) elevation markings; and 2) windage markings,wherein said elevation markings and said windage markings align toaccount for the greater effect of windage at greater elevation; and f) areticle, comprising: 1) a first horizontal cross-hair; 2) a firstvertical cross-hair; 3) a plurality of elevation markings on said firstvertical cross-hair below said first horizontal cross-hair; and 4) aplurality of second vertical cross-hairs intersecting, contacting ornear said first horizontal cross-hair.
 11. The target acquisition deviceof claim 10, wherein said reticle further comprises rangefindermarkings.
 12. The target acquisition device of claim 10, wherein saidreticle further comprises unique markings for identification purposes onat least one of said plurality of secondary vertical cross-hairs. 13.The target acquisition device of claim 10, wherein said reticle isconfigured in a first focal plane.
 14. The target acquisition device ofclaim 10, wherein said reticle is configured in the second focal plane.15. The target acquisition device of claim 10, wherein said reticle isconfigured in a combination of the first focal plane and the secondfocal plane.
 16. The target acquisition device of claim 10, wherein saidreticle is configured in a fixed power target acquisition device. 17.The target acquisition device of claim 10, wherein said targetacquisition device is configured for shooting at a range of less than500 yards.
 18. The target acquisition device of claim 10, wherein saidtarget acquisition device is configured for shooting at a range ofgreater than 500 yards.
 19. The target acquisition device of claim 10,wherein said turret cap is configured for shooting at a windspeed ofzero to 100 miles per hour (mph).
 20. A method for shooting a target,comprising: a) adjusting the elevation turret cap of the targetacquisition device of claim 1 and windage turret of said targetacquisition device of claim 1 affixed to a firearm such that aprojectile strikes a zero point on a reticle of said target acquisitiondevice at a specified distance; b) measuring or obtaining the range to atarget at a second distance; c) adjusting said elevation turret cap inMils or MOA such that the elevation of a projectile aimed at the zeropoint of said reticle is aligned with the elevation of said target atsaid second distance; d) measuring or obtaining the windspeed and/orrate of travel of said target; e) aligning an elevation marking on saidelevation turret cap with a corresponding windage speed marking on saidelevation turret cap to obtain a value for the number of second verticalcross-hairs intersecting said first horizontal cross-hair; and f)adjusting the windage hold of the firearm thereby based on said value.21. The method of claim 20, wherein said second vertical cross-hairsintersecting said first horizontal cross-hair are evenly spaced at 0.2Mils.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein said elevation markingscomprise units of inches, feet, yards, miles, centimeters or kilometers.23. The method of claim 20, wherein said windage markings compriseratios of units of distance in inches, feet, yards, miles, centimetersor kilometers to units of time in milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours,days, weeks, months or years.